Pictorial markings on construction materials for speed

ABSTRACT

A set of construction material elements including gypsum board, plywood, studs, tracks and cement boards each contain markings on a front and rear face. The markings comprise a plurality of series of symbols including a first and second series of symbols that appear on the face at regular repeating intervals, such as every 12 or 16 inches aligned along a horizontal line, the first and second series being substantially parallel spaced a few inches away from one another. The symbols may be combinations of dots and bars wherein each dot represents an interval of one unit, and each bar represents an interval of five units. Each construction material element may also have a first series of numerals in ascending order at regular repeating intervals around a perimeter of the face and a second series of numerals in descending order at regular repeating intervals around the perimeter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for improving the speed of construction and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods of marking construction materials with pictorial or graphic materials to reduce measurement time.

Construction materials are sold in linear and sheet form in standard sizes. The materials are cut and affixed to each other and to existing structure based upon the dimensions of the standard sized materials and the dimensions of the space being worked on. Irregular spaces require much tedious and time consuming measuring before cutting.

Construction with sheet construction often requires the installer to line up a large four by eight foot sheet against a frame composed of horizontal and vertical studs and to affix the sheet to the studs. The studs are usually spaced at twelve, sixteen or twenty-four inch intervals. The installer must measure and mark the chosen spacing on the sheet in order to accurately find the stud spacing once the sheet is raised to be nailed onto the frame because once the sheet is nailed to the frame the sheet completely blocks any view of the studs. The measurement and marking takes a great deal of time and energy and hence drives up labor costs. Moreover, often the measurement can be inaccurate and the placing of nails or screws misses the stud. This causes a delay—the fastening must be removed so that the hole it leaves can later be patched properly.

In other construction work, a plywood sheet laid as a subfloor over joists will hide the underlying structure. In this case too, accurate measuring is necessary to achieve sound construction of the sheet material to the joists, especially where fastening is required to be at close intervals, as in the laying of resilient materials over a sub-floor.

Linear construction materials also require measuring and cutting when framing walls, doors and windows. Precision measurement is time consuming. Measuring of piping, wiring and other conduits and constructing dropped ceilings and furring spaces are non-exhaustive examples of construction work that may present similar difficulties to the installer.

As can be seen, there is a need for construction material that is made or adapted to simplify accurate measuring and that is less time-consuming to work with.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, there is presented construction material, comprising a construction material element having a face, the face containing markings that include a first series of numerals in ascending order at regular repeating intervals around a perimeter of the face, a second series of numerals in descending order at regular repeating intervals around the perimeter, the second series spaced apart from the first series, the markings also including a series of lines of varying length situated perpendicular to a direction of the first and second series, a series of symbols, the symbols being combinations of dots and bars wherein each dot represents an interval of one unit, and each bar represents an interval of five units.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is presented construction material, comprising a set of construction material elements, including at least gypsum board, each element having a face, the face containing an array of symbols including at least two rows of symbols, the symbols appearing at regular repeating intervals aligned along a line, the at least two rows being substantially parallel, the symbols being combinations of dots and bars wherein each dot represents an interval of one unit, and each bar represents an interval of five units.

In a still further aspect of the present invention, there is presented construction material, comprising a layer of gypsum board having a face; a thin transparent film strip on the gypsum board in adhering relation thereto, the film strip containing markings that include a first series of numerals in ascending order at regular repeating intervals around a perimeter of the film, a second series of numerals in descending order at regular repeating intervals around the perimeter, the second series spaced apart from the first series, the markings also including a series of lines of varying length situated perpendicular to a direction of the first and second series, a series of symbols positioned between the first series and the second series, the symbols being combinations of dots and bars wherein each dot represents an interval of one unit, and each bar represents an interval of five units.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, descriptions and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a face of gypsum board having the markings of the present invention in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a face of gypsum board having the markings of the present invention in accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a face of gypsum board or other construction material element and including a legend; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of gypsum board having a thin plastic film over a perimeter of the gypsum board and with markings on the film.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention generally provides a plurality of construction elements such as gypsum board and plywood that are pre-marked with a ruler-like set of markings and associated with numerals together with a series of symbols functioning as mathematical symbols. The mathematical symbols may be comprised of rectangular bars and circular dots. The bars may denote an interval of 5 units of length, such as inches, and the dots may denote an interval of one inch. The spacing of inch may be marked off with the symbols. In addition, each 12 inches and each 16 inches may be marked off with the symbols. As a result of the markings, it takes much less time to see where to place screws or nails attaching the gypsum board, for example, to the studs.

In contrast to the prior art, in which construction material may be marked off using regular Arabic numeral markings, the present invention employs a numbering system that may be pictorial or graphic. In further contrast to the prior art, in which graphic or pictorial images or symbols have only the meaning arbitrarily assigned to them, the symbols and pictorial and graphic images of the present invention are based on a known numbering system used by the Mayan inhabitants of the Americas, although not for the purposes of the present invention. In still further contrast to the prior art, wherein particular construction material elements may be marked, the present invention may involve a set of construction material elements in which all of the elements are marked in accordance with the present invention, including for example, gypsum board, plywood, piping, wood studs, cement board, metal studs and track, etc. In further contrast to the prior art, in which markings occupy a large portion of the face of a construction material as if the face of the construction material were graph paper, in the present invention, the intervals of the markings of the present invention may be set up so that they do not clutter the appearance of the face of the construction material.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, construction material 100 in accordance with the present invention may comprise a construction material element 110, such as a piece of gypsum board 112, plywood, studs, track, piping or cement board. Other construction material elements may include subflooring having a face. The construction material element may be made of wood, metal or any other suitable material. The face 114 may contain markings 113 that include a first series 115 of numerals 116 in ascending order at regular repeating intervals around a perimeter 118 of the face 114, a second series 122 of numerals 116 in descending order at regular repeating intervals around the perimeter 118, the second series 122 spaced apart from the first series 115.

As seen in FIG. 3, the markings 113 may also include a series of lines 133 of varying length situated perpendicular to a direction of the first and second series 115, 122. Moreover, face 114 may contain a legend 400 explaining the numerical meaning of the circular dots 124 and bars 126 of the symbols 200.

A series of symbols 200 may also be positioned between the first series 115 and the second series 122. The symbols 200 may be comprised of combinations of dots 124 and bars 126 wherein each dot represents an interval of one unit, and each bar represents an interval of five units. Such arrangement of symbol is known to have been used by the ancient Mayan civilization.

The symbols 200 may appear at regular intervals of approximately 16 inches beginning at an edge of the face as well as at the one inch point from the edge. Sixteen inches measured from the middle of one stud to the middle of the next stud, is the recognized interval in the placement of studs in the construction industry. In certain cases, such as a bearing wall, the symbols 200 may appear at regular repeating intervals of approximately 12 inches, as counted beginning from the edge. Symbols may as a rule also be placed at the one inch point from the edge 199. In general, the construction material elements may have one, two, three or four faces or edges containing the markings. Furthermore, certain of the construction materials, such as tin studs that have two lips rather than a full fourth side, may be considered to have five faces if each lip is considered a face.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the faces or faces of the construction material elements 110 may have no numerals within the first or second series at points along the horizontal axis where the symbols appear. For example, in FIG. 1 no numerals appear at the 12 inch intervals or at the 16 inch intervals.

As seen from FIG. 2, construction material 100 in accordance with the present invention may also have a set of construction material elements 110 each having a face 114 that defines a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. The set may in some cases include at least gypsum board and plywood and in other cases include all construction material elements 110. Each construction material element 110 may contain markings comprising an array 221 of symbols having a plurality of rows 222, for example including a first and second series of symbols that appear on the face at regular repeating intervals aligned along a line. The line may typically be a horizontal line, as seen in FIG. 2. Each individual row or column in the array, for example the first and second series 222 of symbols 200 may be substantially parallel. The symbols may be combinations of dots and bars wherein each dot represents an interval of one unit, and each bar represents an interval of five units. As used herein, when the word “row” is used alone as opposed to used in conjunction with the word “column”, the word “row” need not be horizontal and may also encompass vertical rows, i.e. columns 222.

As seen from FIG. 2, symbols 200 in any row or column of array 221 may be spaced at intervals of 12 inches. Symbols 200 within any row or column of array 221 may also or alternatively be spaced at intervals of 16 inches. Although not shown in FIG. 2, similar to FIGS. 1 and 3, symbols 200 may also appear at the one inch interval from the edge in each row (or column) as well as one inch from the opposite edge. For each row or column (or first or second series) of symbols 200 on face 114 there may be a further row or column of symbols 200 also appearing on the face substantially parallel to the first series or row or column. In certain embodiments, the entire rows, columns or first and second series may be spaced apart from one another (not referring to spacing within the rows or columns) approximately 12 inches of one another.

Whether numerals 116 and perpendicular lines 133 are present or absent, symbols 200 may appear at regular repeating intervals of approximately 16 inches and may appear at regular repeating intervals of approximately 12 inches. So for example, as seen from FIG. 1, the symbols may appear at the following points (as measured in inches) from a particular edge 199 of a ninety-six inch long face of gypsum board in ascending order: 1, 12, 16, 24, 32, 36, 48, 60, 64, 72, 80, 84, 95. As also seen from FIG. 1, the symbols may also appear in descending order at the same points along the face. The points may be marked with numerals and with perpendicular lines 133 of varying length as is typically used for rulers. However, at the points at which symbols appear, no numerals would appear and the perpendicular markings 133 may contain only a simple line 66 connecting the ascending and descending series, as seen in FIG. 1.

Regardless of whether symbols 200 are accompanied by numerals 116 as seen in FIG. 1 or are not so accompanied as in FIG. 2, the face of the construction material element may contain corners 144 that are left free of markings 113. Alternatively, corners 144 may be left free of all markings 113 except for the perpendicular lines, as seen for example in FIG. 1. The size of the corner 144 may vary but in certain cases may be approximately three and one half inches by approximately three and one half inches.

The present invention also contemplates construction material comprised of construction material elements having faces 114 that are free of markings and that may have a thin transparent plastic film strip 777 attached to the face. Film strip 777 may be coextensive with face 114 or may be over only a portion of face 114. The thin transparent film strip 777 may be made of plastic and may attach or adhere to the gypsum board or other construction material so that the edges of the face are flush with the edges of the film strip, for example where the film is coextensive horizontally and vertically with the construction material, which may be gypsum board. In this case, marked on the film itself, rather than on the face 114 of the construction material, are any or all of the markings 113 described in relation to the other embodiments. The film 777 may attach to the gypsum board 112 through a frictional fit or may attach or adhere by other suitable attachment known to those skilled in the art, for example adhesive. The cutting and measuring of the construction process would occur with the film strip 777 attached to the gypsum board or other construction material. At some later point after construction is complete or partially complete, the film strip 777 may be removed.

In any embodiment, the markings 113 may be printed or impressed onto face 114 or may be placed by any other suitable means.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. Construction material, comprising: a construction material element having a face, the face containing markings that include a first series of numerals in ascending order at regular repeating intervals around a perimeter of the face, a second series of numerals in descending order at regular repeating intervals around the perimeter, the second series spaced apart from the first series, the markings also including a series of lines of varying length situated perpendicular to a direction of the first and second series, a series of symbols, the symbols being combinations of dots and bars wherein each dot represents an interval of one unit, and each bar represents an interval of five units.
 2. The construction material of claim 1, wherein the construction material element is a member of the group consisting of gypsum board, plywood, piping, studs, tracks and cement board.
 3. The construction material of claim 1, wherein the symbols appear at regular repeating intervals of approximately 16 inches beginning at an edge of the face and wherein the symbols appear at a one inch point from the edge.
 4. The construction material of claim 1, wherein the symbols appear at regular repeating intervals of approximately 16 inches beginning at an edge of the face and at regular repeating intervals of approximately 12 inches.
 5. The construction material of claim 1, wherein the construction material element has at least two faces containing the markings.
 6. The construction material of claim 1, wherein corners of the construction material element are free of markings.
 7. The construction material of claim 6, wherein the corners are approximately three and one half inches by approximately three and one half inches.
 8. The construction material of claim 1, wherein no numerals in either the first or second series appear corresponding to points at which the symbols appear.
 9. The construction material of claim 1, wherein the series of symbols is positioned between the first series and the second series.
 10. Construction material, comprising: a set of construction material elements, including at least gypsum board, each element having a face, the face containing an array of symbols including at least two rows of symbols, the symbols appearing at regular repeating intervals aligned along a line, the at least two rows being substantially parallel, the symbols being combinations of dots and bars wherein each dot represents an interval of one unit, and each bar represents an interval of five units.
 11. The construction material of claim 10, wherein the symbols are spaced at intervals of approximately 12 inches in at least one row and wherein the symbols are spaced at intervals of approximately 16 inches in at least one row.
 12. The construction material of claim 11, wherein for each first series of symbols on the face there is a second series of symbols also appearing on the face, the first and second series being within approximately six inches of one another.
 13. The construction material of claim 10, wherein the symbols appear at regular repeating intervals of approximately 16 inches and at regular repeating intervals of approximately 12 inches.
 14. The construction material of claim 10, wherein four corners of the gypsum board and four corners of the plywood are free of markings.
 15. The construction material of claim 10, wherein the rows of symbols appearing on the face at regular repeating intervals are aligned along a vertical line.
 16. Construction material, comprising: a layer of gypsum board having a face; a thin transparent film strip on the gypsum board in adhering relation thereto, the film strip containing markings that include a first series of numerals in ascending order at regular repeating intervals around a perimeter of the film, a second series of numerals in descending order at regular repeating intervals around the perimeter, the second series spaced apart from the first series, the markings also including a series of lines of varying length situated perpendicular to a direction of the first and second series, a series of symbols positioned between the first series and the second series, the symbols being combinations of dots and bars wherein each dot represents an interval of one unit, and each bar represents an interval of five units.
 17. The construction material of claim 16, wherein the transparent film strip is coextensive horizontally and vertically with the gypsum board. 